So I decided to take the opportunity with Gamescom 2018 around the corner to talk about my expectations and hopes since we know that some information about DMC5 is coming around at Gamescom, hopefully with some new information. I also want to take the time to talk about what was said in that podcast, so let’s take a look at that first.

[For this list of what we know of from the podcast, I worked alongside the DMC5Info fanpage (@DMC5Info), so please do check them out for more information as it develops.]

To start off with, we got our first look at the control scheme. So far, it looks like the controls of DMC4, but it is missing a few buttons. Mechanics like Taunt, Exceed, and Devil Trigger are not mapped yet, but that could be the result of not trying to make the controls intimidating to newcomers.

We know that recently, prior to leaving for Gamescom. Itsuno’s main priority was balancing enemies and bosses for the highest difficulty in DMC5. As we know right now, the highest difficulty doesn’t have a name yet, though it will probably be either the classic Dante Must Die mode or Gods Must Die mode, which was introduced in the definitive edition of the reboot following complaints that the game was too easy.

We know that Yoshida worked on DMC5 while his family went on vacation to Saitama, and he’s not the only one. It seems a number of DMC5’s staff has been avoiding vacation time and sick days to make DMC5 the greatest game of all time. I appreciate the sacrifice, but really guys, don’t be afraid to take a break every now and again.

Regarding the Devil Trigger music video, Matt Walker has stated that there’s still details that we either haven’t found or decoded. So for those who want to try to figure out who ‘V’ is before he’s officially revealed, by all means, try to find information in the video.

We also know as a fun fact that Yoshida and Itsuno’s favorite boss fight is Credo and that Itsuno also loves Vergil.

Lastly, we know that there is ‘a bunch of cool stuff’ coming to Gamescom and that the demo is not going to be all we get. Given that now we know there’s more to come with Gamescom, I’m going to use this as my opportunity to transition into the second half of the article: my hopes and expectations for DMC5.

The number-one thing I expect to see are some new Exceed mechanics. Exceed, for those uninitiated into the world of Devil May Cry, is a mechanic based around the motorcycle engine that resides within Nero’s sword, the Red Queen. It works as a propulsion system based on the number of charges the player has ready that make the Red Queen much more powerful and faster. Most of Nero’s moves can be expanded upon based on this mechanic, but I feel as though more can be done with it.

For example, allowing the Exceed to be revved in mechanics such as Table Hopper (a dodging mechanic requiring absolute timing). So much was done with its introduction, but like DMC4 did for DMC3, more can be done to build upon the mechanics. Adding new nuances and capabilities is something common to the series, and I’d like to see Exceed get the same treatment.

Nero’s Devil Breaker has been a topic of discussion in the fandom since its debut. Replacing the power-hungry Devil Bringer from DMC4, the Devil Breaker is a bionic replacement that seems to have some moves that are somewhat similar to the Devil Bringer we knew before. He snatches enemies and brings them closer to you, and it can grapple and toss them around just like the Devil Bringer before it. So far, we’ve already seen a few neat tricks with the Devil Breaker.

We’ve seen Nero stop time on an enemy, propel himself backwards in the air, shoot out ricochet lasers, the rocket punch, do a lightning punch with the might of Zeus, and I’m sure I’m missing a couple neat features I noticed. Even so, I can still tell from the arms on his belt that there is more to be seen from these new arms.

I want to know what the potential of these arms are, how sophisticated their controls are. Do they simply have one or two commands like the Devil Bringer, or is it far more advanced like Dante’s styles? Only time will tell. I imagine at least two different Devil Breakers will be shown at the conference, but honestly I’d like to see more than that. It’s unclear how many types of arms he’ll get, but I’d like to see at least two of them.

A release date for a public demo outside of Gamescom would be phenomenal, honestly. In the past few years, Capcom’s been pretty consistent in releasing public demos for their big titles so that the public can try them out before release, and I hope for the same. I don’t really care when the demo releases, it could be February for all I care, but a set date would be nice.

That being said, I’d also like a concrete date for the release of the game, but that is very likely not going to happen for a few months at least. As an expectation, I expect to see a major boss fight. It’s clear from the trailer that at least one boss fight will take place across multiple areas, advancing with each stage of the boss. However, it would be nice to get the full picture of the event.

Frankly, I’m unsure of the moving to different areas because I’m afraid of it getting in the way of the actual boss fight. Nevertheless, I trust them to do it well, and this could be the chance to eliminate any doubt I and other people may have.

Next up on the list is a new gameplay trailer. Honestly, I’d like to see a gameplay trailer involving Dante, as we’ve gotten a taste of what Nero’s capable of and it’d be nice to know what tricks the old guard has up his sleeve for us.

Realistically, the only trailer that will release around that time is another Nero trailer with a trailer for Dante releasing at Pax since Gamescom is not the prime opportunity for that kind of showing. I expect a gameplay trailer, but as for who would be the star, only time will tell.

Finally, I’d like to see more of Nico, and right now, I kind of expect it. Nico had a rough introduction as she was mostly there to give us some awkwardly worded dialogue about her work on Nero’s arm, and I think she deserves another chance to make an impression.

This could be done in the gameplay, like possibly her shop (since we know her van replaces Divinity Statues for Nero), but anything that makes her stand out from being a background character would work to improve her impression on people. I’d like to see her be as well-developed as Lady in DMC3 when DMC5 releases.

There’s so much to look forward to in this game, and I just know it’s as good as it looks. Of course, I’ll be keeping my eyes on any news the game has coming for us in the future and will write about it as necessary. With that being said, we still have a while before Spring rolls around, the current time to be released, but I’m sure the hype will keep on building up until the launch.

And with that said, what’s your hopes and expectations for the “Devil May Cry 5” Gamescom 2018 presentation? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!

***Disclaimer***This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.

***Disclosure***
I’m a major fan of Devil May Cry, and my opinions may be warped to match what I see. That being said, I’ll do my best to be the most objective I can be given the subject matter.